Ilia Malinin showcased his dominance in figure skating ahead of the Winter Olympics, affirming that he still has room for improvement. The American world champion triumphed at the first Grand Prix of the season in Angers, France, securing a remarkable 40-point lead over his competitors.
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin executed five quadruple jumps during his free skate, with only a minor under-rotation as a noticeable flaw. Despite his impressive performance, he expressed his belief that there is much more potential for enhancement. “I think I’ll be improving a lot more,” he stated, eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.
Malinin’s victory extended his undefeated streak to nearly two years, following his defeat by Adam Siao Him Fa at the same event in November 2023. He accumulated a total score of 321 points, significantly surpassing Siao’s 280.95 for the second position. While Siao showed resilience by climbing from fifth place after the short program, his hopes of securing a fourth consecutive win at his home Grand Prix dwindled.
Nika Egadze of Georgia claimed the third spot with a score of 259.41, while Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland finished fourth, trailing by 10 points. Japanese skaters Kao Miura and Tatsuya Tsuboi faced setbacks during the competition, with Miura dropping to 10th place and Tsuboi sliding to seventh after the free skate.
In the ice dance category, France’s Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry clinched their first Grand Prix victory together. They outperformed overnight leaders Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Britain, securing the top spot with a total score of 211.02. Canada’s Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac finished in sixth place with a score of 186.49, following their rhythm dance performance on Saturday.
The Grand Prix of France marks the beginning of the six regular season Grand Prix events leading up to the final in December. It serves as a crucial assessment for skaters aiming for success at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Live coverage of the Grand Prix season can be watched on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, with a detailed streaming schedule available for viewers.
The partnership between Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron commenced in January, with Fournier Beaudry’s previous partner facing a suspension overturned by an arbitrator in June. The event in France sets the stage for skaters to showcase their skills and readiness for the prestigious Winter Olympics.
